Spirit of Big Bang: The Tonneau Hublot

The Spirit of Big Bang holds a special place in Hublot's portfolio. It is based on the Big Bang series and is the only collection to feature tonneau cases. The watches also have skeletonized dials and cases made of red gold, titanium, or ceramic.

Highlights

The only tonneau-shaped Hublot series

Modified version of the famous El Primero chronograph caliber

Titanium, red gold, and ceramic cases

Skeletonized dial

Rubber or leather strap depending on the model

In the Spirit of the Big Bang

The Swiss manufacturer Hublot's Big Bang series has been in production since 2005. The series exclusively features round watches. In 2014, Hublot added the Spirit of Big Bang to the mix: a collection of tonneau-shaped watches which retain many of the qualities of the original Big Bang series. The Spirit of Big Bang appeals to customers who want a rectangular watch that retains the spirit of the round Big Bang, seeing as it's the cornerstone of Hublot's success.

Hublot presented the Spirit of Big Bang as its own, independent collection. It's not a sub-series to the Big Bang, the dominating series in Hublot's portfolio. The similarities between the two are clear, however, visible screws keep the bezel in place in both series and the slots in the screws are designed and arranged so they form an H for Hublot. The two screws that attach the lugs also resemble an H. This distinctive bezel and screw design plays an important role in defining the look of the Big Bang. Thus, Hublot used these features with the Spirit of Big Bang to create a clear connection between the two series. This applies to the hands and crown as well. The Spirit of Big Bang's unique case shape was surprising enough on its own when it was first introduced.

The Nyon-based manufacturer offers the Spirit of Big Bang in several unique materials. It's available in titanium, black or white ceramic, or their in-house red gold alloy, King Gold.

Hublot offers the case in two sizes, 45 mm and 42 mm. The 45-mm version is a stately watch in size and design. The case is slightly bowed so that it fits better on your wrist. It's waterproof to a depth of 100 m (10 bar). The watch can thus also be worn while swimming.

Hublot divides the Spirit of Big Bang into two categories: the version with the well-known Zenith chronograph caliber, which comes in both 45-mm and 42-mm sizes, and the version with a moon phase complication. The moon phase complication is only available in the 42-mm size.

Which Spirit of Big Bang is Right for Me?

Are you looking for a luxury watch that's unique in every way? The Spirit of Big Bang has a tonneau-shaped case with an extravagant design. The skeletonized dial and caliber allows you to watch the interplay of the gear wheels, barrels, and other pieces of the movement.

You should set aside around 13,000 - 14,000 euros for a new titanium Spirit of Big Bang. The metal is relatively lightweight and a good choice for this large watch, as it will feel less cumbersome on your wrist. Since this is a relatively new series, there aren't many older, pre-owned watches on the market. You'll have to wait awhile for a vintage market to develop.

Red gold increases the price of the watch significantly. For a Spirit of Big Bang with Hublot's in-house alloy King Gold, you should prepare to spend at least 30,000 euros. When diamonds are added to the mix, the price of a Spirit of Big Bang can rise to 60,000 - 80,000 euros.

The Spirit of Big Bang collection is most realistically comparable to the watches from Richard Mille. Hublot was aiming to create a watch in the style of this competitor while they were developing the Spirit of Big Bang. Richard Mille specializes in tonneau watches with bizarre designs which easily cost over 100,000 euros.

Famous Calibers

Caliber enthusiasts will be pleased to find a modified El Primero chronograph movement running the Spirit of Big Bang. The El Primero is one of the most famous movements in the history of watchmaking. The caliber was originally used in a watch of the same name from Zenith. The El Primero watch was introduced in 1969 and was one of the first and best automatic chronograph calibers. Hublot slightly modified the El Primero and renamed it HUB4700. The movement beats at 36,000 alternations per hour (A/h), equal to 5 Hz. Most mechanical watches beat at 28,800 A/h (4 Hz) or 21,600 A/h (3 Hz). The faster a movement beats, the more precisely it should run. It's not surprising that the El Primero powers the Spirit of Big Bang watches, as both Zenith and Hublot belong to the luxury goods concern LVHM Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton.

Both the HUB4700 and the HUB1770 have a 50-hour power reserve. The HUB1770 also features a moon phase complication and large date display.

HUB4700

HUB1770

Balance frequency

36,000 A/h (5 Hz)

28,800 A/h (4 Hz)

Automatic

Yes

Yes

Chronograph

Yes

No

Date display

Yes

Yes (big date)

Moon phase indicator

No

Yes

Power reserve

50 hours

50 hours

In High Demand Since 2005

Hublot is a relatively young Swiss luxury watch manufacturer. The company was founded in 1980 by the Italian watch designer Carlo Crocco. Eighteen years later, he sold his shares in the company to the LVMH Group. Crocco developed the fusion concept which Hublot watches are so well known for. This concept involves using unique, contrasting materials together in a single watch, such as a natural rubber strap paired with a gold case. In 2004, Jean-Claude Biver left after 10 years at Omega and became the new CEO of Hublot. Under his leadership, Hublot became even more successful. The launch of the Big Bang model series in 2005 greatly contributed to the increase in demand.